Hi Laurie!
Thanks for bringing this question to planDisney!
At this time, only guests at the following resorts can book
Lightning Lanes 7 days prior to their resort check-in date:
Disney Resort hotelsWalt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green Resort
Guests at all other resorts will be able to book their Lightning Lanes beginning at 7 AM Eastern, 3 days prior to the start date of their ticket for date-based tickets.
Although Waldorf Astoria guests are not eligible to book Lightning Lanes 7 days prior to their stay, I’m happy to report that they are eligible for
Early Entry to the theme parks (subject to change). Early Entry is a huge perk and always such a nice way to start your day, enjoying the parks with fewer crowds and shorter standby queues.
I recommend getting to the park about 30 minutes prior to the listed Early Entry time to really maximize your time during those early morning hours. You can check the park hours on your
My Disney Experience app or on the
Hours & Events Calendar on Disney World’s website. The park hours usually update about 2 months in advance; however, they’re always subject to change, so I like to check back about a week or two before my trip.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, let us know!
Jenn J.